Almohad campaign against Portugal (1190–1191)
The Almohad Caliphate launched a major offensive against the Kingdom of Portugal in the spring of 1190 that lasted into the summer of 1191. The Caliph Yaʿqūb al-Manṣūr crossed over from Africa to take personal command of his forces. The campaign of 1190 was underwhelming because of assistance Portugal received from passing armies of the Third Crusade. The sieges of Tomar, Santarém and Silves had to be abandoned, but the caliph overwintered in Seville. The campaign of 1191 reversed Portugal's recent reconquests, captured Silves after a second siege and pushed the frontier north to the Tagus.
Walls of Torres Novas
Walls of Tomar
Walls of Leiria
The Almohad Caliphate or Almohad Empire was a North African Berber Muslim empire founded in the 12th century. At its height, it controlled much of the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus) and North Africa.
The Almohads transferred the capital of Al-Andalus to Seville.
Almohads after 1212
Almohad soldiers in the Cantigas de Santa Maria, depicted on the right under white banners
A copy of the Qur'an personally transcribed by Caliph al-Murtada, circa 1266